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Shop local from the comfort of your home by checking out this curated list of gifts regionally crafted in Iowa. You can feel good about shopping when you support the many local artisans and farmers represented on the 2019 Made in Iowa Gift Guide.
*Thank you to Travel Iowa for sponsoring this post. As always, all opinions are my own.*
2019 Made in Iowa Gift Guide
Shop Local & Online to Support Iowa Artisans & Farmers
From handmade jewelry and pottery, knitted hats and scarves, and personalized home decor items, you’ll find the perfect gift for everyone you need, and support local Iowa independent businesses in the process! Feel good about the gifts you buy from Travel Iowa’s curated list right here and finish up your holiday shopping from the comfort of your home.
I’m not sure how long you have to live in a state to claim it as your own, but I claim Iowa since I’ve lived in this state longer than I’ve lived anywhere else. Saying I’m from Iowa is just much easier than answering “it’s complicated,” when someone asks me where I’m from.
As a former military brat who married a military man, I’ve lived all over the world. It’s nice to have a home base though, and Iowa is it for me. It’s only natural that I’d want to support the business owners, amazing artisans, Iowa shops, and craftspeople from my adopted state. We have so many talented people right here in Iowa!
While I highly recommend that you visit the individual stores listed in this post if you can, it’s even more awesome that you can support local businesses even if you’re too far away by shopping online. Shopping small online still helps support the local economy! How cool is that?
Support these 7 Iowa Small Businesses
This is definitely not an exhaustive list of small businesses to support in Iowa, but here are seven small Iowa businesses that work together in a big way to support local farmers and artisans. Check out each of these seven businesses and finish up that holiday shopping today.
Located in a historic jail in downtown Winterset, Iowa, you’ll definitely want to check out the beautiful artisan gifts you can find at 1st Avenue Collective. If you’re close to Des Moines, head out to see this shop in person.
But even if you aren’t close, you can also order their lovely handcrafted jewelry, pottery, candles, and home decor products online. I really recommend a visit to Winterset though! Who wouldn’t want to visit the lovely covered bridges while finishing up your holiday shopping?
Learn more about 1st Avenue Collective here or visit them in Winterset.
I love the custom gifts you can find at Carver’s Ridge. From engraved wood signs, personalized baking dishes, and handwritten recipe boards, you’ll find something for every foodie or home decor loving person on your list.
Carver’s Ridge is amazing to work with - they want to insure your complete satisfaction with your one of a kind order and they will work hard to achieve it!
Learn more about Carver’s Ridge here or visit them in Corning or Guthrie Center.
Located in downtown Iowa City, The Maker’s Loft offers over 50 Iowa artisans a space to sell their homemade goods! They have a variety of fun products for sale including the lovely Iowa Nice t-shirts, beard oil from the Iowa Beard Company, handmade soy candles, and more.
I’m excited to try out Joanna’s Homemade Tonic Syrup. I bet the original flavor would make a killer mixed drink!
Learn more about The Maker’s Loft here or visit them in downtown Iowa City.
Find the perfect consumable gift from That Iowa Girl and your purchase will help support 20 different local stores and Iowa farmers! That Iowa Girl markets and delivers Iowa made food products in bulk to help local businesses sell their goods.
I’m adding Timber Ridge Beef Sticks to my family’s stockings for sure! I especially like that these snack sticks have no added nitrates!
Learn more about That Iowa girl here or visit them in Clarion!
You’ll find the most delicious food gifts, Iowa shaped soaps, handmade beauty products and more at Barn Happy! Plus, you can take comfort in the fact that your purchase will help support more than 100 vendors who sell their products at this two-story barn store located in Cedar Falls.
They also offer curated Iowa themed gift baskets, so if you’re looking for the perfect gift for a friend who loves Iowa, look no further!
Learn more about the products you can find at Barn Happy here or visit them in Cedar Falls!
Located in Bondurant, Little House on the Main is a boutique clothing and gift shop with a lot of beautiful gifts made by many Iowa artisans. From fun knit hats to wooden signs and Doe a Deer Tee Towels, rest assured you can find something perfect for the home decor aficionado on your list!
Learn more about Little House on Main here or visit them in Bondurant.
Located in a historic building on Main Street in Manning, Iowa, The Market Place is another store that sells the products of a wide variety of Iowa artisans. You will love their painted signs, hand-crocheted blankets, fused glass jewelry. Plus, if you know someone who loves to decorate with tassels, you’ll want to head over and check out The Market Place for sure. I’ve heard The Market Place also has a charming coffee shop! Too bad it’s 3 ½ hours from me, but shopping on line is always a great option.
You can find The Market Place products here, or you can also visit them in Manning, Iowa!
If you want to avoid big box stores, or balance out your purchases by finding a few great locally produced items, you’ll really find something for everyone on this list of small Iowa businesses. Support Iowa business and shop local this year – even if you can’t make it to the stores in person!
How are you supporting local this year with your gift purchases? Please share a comment about your favorite Iowa made or Iowa inspired gift!
Michelle Marine is the author of How to Raise Chickens for Meat, a long-time green-living enthusiast, and rural Iowa mom of four. She empowers families to grow and eat seasonal, local foods; to reduce their ecological footprint; and to come together through impactful travel.
I was just at Carver’s Ridge yesterday and they have so many awesome things to choose from. I love the leather bound journals that can be personalized!
I got excited about the very first shop/retailer that I clicked on! From The Maker’s Loft, I’m so interested in the soy candles and the woolen throws. And, I’m not sure if I’m familiar with tonic syrups— I’d like to learn more!
I love the Little House on Main tea towels!
I like the cutting boards with recipes on it from Carver’s ridge
I’ve fallen in love with Carver’s Ridge!
How do you pick just one item?! So many great things.
I’d probably finally pick something that is personalized.
Carver’s Ridge looks awesome!
So neat to see all these Iowa small businesses!
Those beef sticks look like they would be a hit around here.
The bath and body products from The Market Place would make a great gift basket of goodies for my mom!
I love the idea of gifting a basket of local foods from That Iowa Girl!
I was just at Carver’s Ridge yesterday and they have so many awesome things to choose from. I love the leather bound journals that can be personalized!
I like the Farm to Table Pie plate
cutting boards i like always need those
I think the recipe boards are a great gift for someone who loves to cook their favorite recipes and even pass a great recipe down to a grandchild.
love the Leather Bound Journals
I like the Farmhouse Coat Rack – Coat Hanger – Wall Mount – Farmhouse Decor – Rustic Decor. (The Old White Shed)
I like APPLE MAPLE BOURBON | AIR + LINEN SPRAY from https://neatandnavyblue.com.
I love the Engraved Wooden Sign.
I would get the Brown Dog’s Hot Sauce.
I would love to get a blanket and cup of coffee from The Market Place.
I got excited about the very first shop/retailer that I clicked on! From The Maker’s Loft, I’m so interested in the soy candles and the woolen throws. And, I’m not sure if I’m familiar with tonic syrups— I’d like to learn more!
I would say Carver’s Ridge .
The beef sticks sound awesome!!!